LIVIGNO, Italy (AP) — Japanese snowboarder Yuto Totsuka wins the Olympic gold medal in men’s halfpipe.
NBA legend Chris Paul announces retirement at 40
NBA legend Chris Paul has announced his retirement after being released by the Toronto Raptors.
The 40-year-old, widely regarded as one of the sport's greatest point guards, was a 12-time NBA All-Star and 2006 Rookie of the Year.
One of only seven players to enjoy an NBA career spanning 21 seasons, Paul also helped the United States claim Olympic gold medals in Beijing in 2008 and then four years later in London.
"This is it! After 21 years I'm stepping away from basketball," he posted on Instagram.
"Mostly I'm filled with so much joy and gratitude! While this chapter of being an 'NBA player' is done, the game of basketball will forever be ingrained in the DNA of my life.
"I've been in the NBA for more than half of my life, spanning three decades. It's crazy even saying that."
Paul, who was nicknamed the 'Point of God', averaged 16.8 points, 9.2 assists, 4.4 rebounds and two steals a game during a 1,370-game career that started at the New Orleans Hornets in 2005 and effectively ended after a second spell at the Los Angeles Clippers.
He also featured for the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, the Phoenix Suns and the Golden State Warriors, but never played on an NBA championship-winning team.
He came closest to a gold ring in 2021, when Phoenix reached the NBA finals, only to lose to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Paul, who retires second in NBA history for both assists (12,552) and steals (2,728),
had not played since 1 December, with the Clippers trading him to Toronto earlier this month.
Spurs’ rookie Carter Bryant to participate in Rising Stars game
The Spurs will have a third participant in the Rising Stars this Friday. Carter Bryant will replace injured Grizzlies’ forward Cedric Coward in the event, joining Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle.
Carter will be part of Team Vince, which Vince Carter coaches. Castle and Harper are both on Team Melo, which is coached by Carmelo Anthony, so Bryant could face his teammates if both teams win their semifinal games.
Carter’s addition brings the Spurs’ participants in the event back to three, since two-way player David Jones-Garcia was originally slated to represent the G League team before having to bow out due to injury.
Bryant was likely named to the team because he was already in Los Angeles to participate in the dunk contest, but the rookie has done a lot to bring positive attention to his play lately. His season averages are not particularly impressive, but in his last 10 games, he’s averaging 7.1 points and 2.9 rebounds while shooting 40 percent from beyond the arc.
The Rising Stars game will take place on Friday, Feb. 13. The first semifinal will tip off at 8 p.m. CT and will be televised by Peacock.
Chris Paul, former Clippers star, announces retirement after being waived by Raptors
Chris Paul is stepping away from the NBA for good after more than two decades in the league.
The 12-time All Star who played a key role in the Clippers' "Lob City" era made the announcement Friday soon after being waived by the Toronto Raptors.
"This is it! After over 21 years I'm stepping away from basketball," Paul wrote in a lengthy statement posted to his Instagram account.
"As I write this, it's hard to really know what to feel, but for once — most people would be surprised — I don't have the answer lol! But, mostly I'm filled with so much joy and gratitude! While this chapter of being an 'NBA player' is done, the game of basketball will forever be engrained in the DNA of my life."
Read more:Chris Paul is 'at peace' after Clippers exit; Tyronn Lue says report they were feuding 'ain't true'
Paul was selected fourth overall by the New Orleans Hornets in the 2005 draft and was named the NBA's rookie of the year the following season. Playing for the Clippers from 2011 to 2017, Paul and Blake Griffin led the team to six winning seasons, its first two Pacific Division titles and three playoff series victories.
He went on to play for the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs before signing a $3.6-million deal to return to the Clippers last summer for what was largely expected to be his final season.
The reunion did not work out so well. Paul was abruptly dismissed by the Clippers in early December, traded to the Raptors on Feb. 4 and then not required to report to his new team.
Paul ranks second in NBA history with 12,552 assists and 2,728 steals. He was the first player to notch at least 20,000 points and more than 10,000 assists.
Read more:Clippers’ sudden rebuild brings back familiar team chaos
While he didn't fully reveal what his "next chapter" will be, Paul indicated that it will involve spending more time with wife Jada, son Chris and daughter Camryn.
"Playing basketball for a living has been an unbelievable blessing that also came with lots of responsibility," Paul wrote. "I embraced it all. The good and the bad. As a lifelong learner, leadership is hard and is not for the weak. Some will like you and many people won't. But the goal was always the goal, and my intentions were always sincere (Damn, I love competing!!)"
He added as part of the lengthy note: "The game always gave me a reason to SHOW up!!! And the true leaders and fighters know that that right there — showing up — is half of the battle. So now with all the gratitude that I could possibly have... it's time for me to show up for others and in other ways. ... And I now know wholeheartedly the best teammate I can be is to Jada, Chris II and Cam!!"
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yankees' Gerrit Cole talks potential return date after throwing first bullpen session of camp
The Yankees recently floated the possibility of Gerrit Cole appearing in Grapefruit League games before camp breaks, and he's at least taken the first necessary step toward achieving that goal.
The veteran ace, nearly a year removed from Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for all of 2025, completed his first bullpen session of spring training down in Tampa on Friday.
Cole sported a new beard and debuted an over-the-head windup on the mound. With coaches and teammates observing nearby, his fastball velocity consistently sat in the mid-90s, reaching as high as 96 mph.
"It felt really good. It was a well-executed pen, overall," Cole said after his session. "[My arm] feels different than it's been in quite some time... I'm just doing exactly what I've been told. When I'm told to push, I push. When I'm told not to, I don't. I really haven't deviated, hardly at all, from my targets."
The Yankees' level of excitement with Cole's progress is warranted. He checked off every box in his lengthy rehab, logging a handful of offseason bullpen sessions in California without any hitches before arriving to camp in Florida.
What remains unclear, though, is Cole's return date. The Yankees are hoping to see the 35-year-old back in pinstripes by May or June, and when asked for an update on his recovery timeline, Cole said that he's on track with the data-backed target window of 14-18 months.
"We've had a lot of discussions between myself and the Yankees," Cole said. "It's always been, with a full Tommy John reconstruction surgery, the target is always between 14-18 months. That really hasn't changed."
As far off as May and June sound now for rejoining the rotation, Cole is still trending in the right direction. Earlier this week, manager Aaron Boone said that the former AL Cy Young winner could face hitters in a few weeks, and if all goes according to plan then, there's the option of game action.
The Yanks will obviously err on the side of caution with Cole, who has always been meticulous about his routine and upfront about his health. After all, the club can't afford to be reckless with a volatile pitching staff that's already banged up.
No matter when Cole makes his 2026 debut, it'll be a welcomed sight for the Yankees. He missed the first half of 2024 with elbow inflammation, finishing the year with a 3.41 ERA and 99 strikeouts in 17 starts (95.0 innings). He also produced a 0.71 ERA across two World Series games.
Cole said his long layoff from the game has "reaffirmed" some of his core values. And while his recovery process from Tommy John surgery has paled in comparison to past stints on the injured list, he's embraced a positive mindset.
"The work during this rehab process is different than what I typically would be doing when healthy. Yet, I've attacked the process the same way as I attack the regular work," Cole said. "That has produced good results, so it just gives me confidence that I go about my business the right way."
Gerrit Cole's first bullpen of the spring pic.twitter.com/WhPoU1woht
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) February 13, 2026
Dodgers' Alex Vesia opens up on healing process after newborn baby's death
PHOENIX — Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia slowly walked over, took a deep breath Friday, wiped his eyes, and stared at his cell phone.
For the first time since he and his wife Kayla lost their newborn daughter, Sterling Sol, on Oct. 26, days after being born, he stood in front of a crowd of reporters and spoke for six minutes. He stopped and caught his breath several times, frequently touching his heart He didn’t take any questions, and instead asked for privacy as he and his wife continue to heal.
“The lessons we've learned from this is that life can change in an instant," Vesia said. “For us, 10 minutes is all it took. Sterling Sol was the most beautiful girl in the world. We got to hold her, change her diaper, read to her and love her. Our time together was far too short … I was not prepared to not bring my baby girl home, but we're carrying her with us every day.
“Kayla and I will keep those precious moments and memories to ourselves. I hope that anyone listening can empathize and respect our wishes for privacy as we continue to heal and as we navigate the ups and downs of a baseball season."
“We are beyond grateful to be a part of this organization and this family," Vesia said. “So many of you have stepped up and have been there for us in a big way over the past few months, and has meant the world to both Kayla and I."
He spoke about the healing process including the grief counseling he and his wife have begun six weeks ago, the strength and support the Dodgers organization has given them, the Toronto Blue Jays’ heartfelt gesture during the World Series, and the outpouring of love from all over the the world, including the Los Angeles Rams sending an autographed jersey to them that he plans to frame.
Vesia, who stayed with Kayla and left the team during the World Series, still watched every pitch of all seven games, and was overwhelmed with emotion by seeing that every pitcher in the Blue Jays’ bullpen was wearing his No. 57, his jersey number, on their caps in support.
“They are a first-class organization," Vesia said. “Kayla and I just want to say thank you to them. When Kayla and I were watching the World Series, we noticed that there was 51 on Louis Varland's hat. I immediately texted Gus Varland, his brother, and I asked him if I was seeing that correctly. He texted me back right away, and he said, 'the Varlands love you, dude, the whole Toronto bullpen has it too. It's bigger than baseball. We love y'all.'
“Kayla and I, we were very emotional. We were super overwhelmed ... the baseball community, the relationships that you make along the way, it showed that was much bigger than baseball. The outpouring of love and support Kayla I've had over the past few months, few months, has been unmatched.
“We're both grateful to not only Dodger nation, but the fans worldwide. My DMs are basically broken on Instagram from all the love and support that we've had, I've tried to read all the comments and everything because it's meant the world really."
While it was difficult for Vesia to leave the team, he knew that his wife and family needed him much more, and watching the World Series together began the healing process.
“For us, in so many ways, that was a light in our darkness,’’ said Vesia, who returned to his Arizona home after the World Series. “I immediately got back into the gym. I started my throwing program. Having something to look forward to has helped me. The gym has been my mental clarity.
“Being around the guys again, preparing for spring training, it's been really nice. I've gotten a lot of love so far in the clubhouse, being able to laugh and joke around. It's been really nice for me."
When Dodgers manager Dave Roberts saw Vesia on Thursday for the first time since the tragedy, he hugged him, and they talked for 30 minutes.
“There’s not a whole lot [to say],’’ Roberts said. “You’re just sort of there to help support. That’s something they’ve got to process themselves. … It’s one of those things you can’t even imagine. I can’t think of anything worse.
"But I do think that getting back to what he loves to do and play baseball, that’s something that’s therapeutic for him."
Therapy has also been a huge benefit, Vesia says, for him and his wife, strongly recommending counseling to anyone enduring tragedy.
“It hasn't been easy, but talking to someone, it has made a difference," Vesia said. “For those out there who've lost a child or are fighting through any struggle, if you can take anything from this, please seek help. Talk to somebody. It's definitely helped.
“Don't be afraid to speak up. Your mental health matters. I've learned that what happened, what has happened to us, has also happened to so many families. Realizing that has deepened our empathy and our gratitude for this community, the baseball community, is extremely strong. …
“It's been hard, but we're doing okay."
Vesia nodded, looked ahead and then slowly walked back to the Dodgers clubhouse, knowing that his baby girl will never be forgotten, praying and Kayla will one day find comfort and peace.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alex Vesia back with Dodgers after newborn baby death
Community Prospect List No. 40: OF Jakob Christian
It’s almost hard to believe, but we have a top 40 in the 2026 Willie McCovey Memorial Community Prospect List. We only need four more ballots sent out and counted, and then we will have succeeded in once again ranking the top 44 prospects in the San Francisco Giants organization.
The last chapter of the CPL has brought us someone with a delightful display of power: it’s outfielder Jakob Christian, who has been voted as the No. 40 prospect in the system, falling 10 spots from his debut ranking at No. 30 last year.
Christian, who was the team’s fifth-round pick in 2024 out of the University of San Diego, was essentially in his debut season last year, after only getting into nine games after being drafted. The right-handed hitter, who turned 23 right as the season was ending, flashed some dynamism in his first full year, but countered it with some red flags as well.
Let’s start with the good stuff, though, because that’s what earned him a spot on our list. Christian spent the bulk of the year with Low-A San Jose, where his line was quite solid: he hit .272/.355/.460 with 10 home runs in 70 games, finishing with an .815 OPS and a 119 wRC+. That earned him a late-season promotion to High-A Eugene, which is where he really caught fire and put his skills on display. During his month in the Northwest League, the San Diego native slashed a blistering .304/.380/.570 with four home runs in 23 games, for a .950 OPS and a 155 wRC+.
Those are some green flags! A good average (.279 across the levels), a good walk rate (9.8%), good power (.205 ISO), while getting better late in the year is something to be excited about, and he also added 15 stolen bases while getting caught stealing just twice.
But there were some concerns under the hood. Namely, there were issues with his contact rates. In Low-A, Christian posted a 28.3% strikeout rate and a 17.7% swinging strike rate, very high rates for a large-school college bat who was nearly a year older than league average. While his overall stats improved greatly in High-A, it was despite the contact rates also moving in the wrong direction: he had a 34.8% strikeout rate and a 19.8% swinging strike rate. Across the two levels, Christian ranked 51st out of 58 Giants Minor Leaguers (minimum: 200 plate appearances) in strikeout rate, and dead last in swinging strike rate. That’s a notable hole that needs significant patching if he’s to have success at higher levels.
There’s also the matter of defense. It’s fairly telling that Christian, an outfielder, spent nearly as many games in 2025 at first base (40) as he did in the grass (51). Some of that was to make space in the outfield for San Jose’s higher-touted prospects, but some of it is also a reflection of his defensive value.
I’d assume, given the swing-and-miss issues, that Christian will return to Eugene to start the upcoming season. If he can maintain his offensive performance while patching some of the holes in his swing, he could quickly become a very good prospect.
Now let’s add to the list! As a reminder, voting takes place in the comment section, using the “rec” feature.
The list so far
- Bryce Eldridge — 1B
- Josuar González — SS
- Jhonny Level — SS
- Bo Davidson — CF
- Dakota Jordan — CF
- Luis Hernández — SS
- Gavin Kilen — SS
- Carson Whisenhunt — LHP
- Blade Tidwell — RHP
- Keyner Martinez — RHP
- Jacob Bresnahan — LHP
- Trevor McDonald — RHP
- Argenis Cayama — RHP
- Luis De La Torre — LHP
- Trevor Cohen — OF
- Jesús Rodríguez — C
- Parks Harber — OF/3B
- Carlos Gutierrez — OF
- Drew Cavanaugh — C
- Daniel Susac — C
- Gerelmi Maldonado — RHP
- Josh Bostick — RHP
- Lorenzo Meola — SS/2B
- Will Bednar — RHP
- Yunior Marte — RHP
- Joe Whitman — LHP
- Joel Peguero — RHP
- Alberto Laroche — RHP
- Trent Harris — RHP
- Carlos De La Rosa — LHP
- Diego Velasquez — 2B
- Lisbel Diaz — OF
- Maui Ahuna — SS
- Cam Maldonado — OF
- Victor Bericoto — OF/1B
- Reid Worley — RHP
- Jack Choate — LHP
- Rayner Arias — OF
- Nate Furman — 2B
- Jakob Christian — OF
Note: Clicking on the above names will link to the CPL where they were voted onto the list.
No. 41 prospect nominees
Sabin Ceballos — 23.5-year old 3B — .670 OPS/102 wRC+ in AA (420 PA)
Reggie Crawford — 25.2-year old LHP — did not pitch in 2025; 1.04 ERA/4.07 FIP in AAA in 2024 (8.2 IP); 4.66 ERA/4.93 FIP in AA in 2024 (9.2 IP)
Juan Sánchez — 25.2-year old LHP — did not pitch in 2025; 3.93 ERA/5.17 FIP in AAA in 2024 (34.1 IP)
Charlie Szykowny — 25.7-year old 3B/1B — .816 OPS/122 wRC+ in High-A (549 PA)
Jancel Villarroel — 21.0-year old C — .699 OPS/91 wRC+ in High-A (61 PA); .746 OPS/123 wRC+ in Low-A (372 PA)
Note: Each player’s first name links to their Baseball-Reference page, and their last name links to their Fangraphs page. All stats are from the 2025 season.
Reds bring in 1B Nathaniel Lowe on minor league deal
If someone told you right now that over the first four full years of Sal Stewart’s career he would hit .274/.359/.432 and average 20 HR a season, would you take it?
You’d probably take it!
The first four years of Nathaniel Lowe’s career saw him do exactly that, as from 2021 through 2024 he was the regular 1B on a Texas Rangers club that excelled all the way to the 2023 World Series title. The 2025 season, however, was another story altogether, as he hit just .228/.307/.381 split between the Washington Nationals and Boston Red Sox as he struggled to mesh with his new clubs.
Apparently, his 2025 work soured opinion on him enough that he was willing to accept a minor league deal with an invite to spring training, and on Friday that’s precisely what the Cincinnati Reds provided. According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, Lowe will head to Goodyear and put in work in an attempt to make the Reds out of spring camp.
Now 30, Lowe is exclusively a 1B/DH guy at this point of his career, though he did dabble in work at 3B earlier on. What he has going for him particularly, though, is that he’s a left-handed hitter who consistently has hit RHP with aplomb, even to the tune of .252/.333/.429 in his otherwise down 2025 season. Considering each of Sal Stewart, Spencer Steer, and Eugenio Suarez bat from the right side of the plate in the 1B/DH conversation, there’s some consideration that throwing Lowe into that mix would add some balance to the depth.
Obviously, it’s a low-cost depth signing that brings in a pretty proven quantity with zero risk if he’s completely lost it. But if he hits in camp the way he has in the past, it gives the Reds some serious decisions to make. For instance, each of JJ Bleday and Will Benson – both left-handed swingers – have minor league options remaining, and if Lowe is mashing (and if Steer looks comfy in LF), carrying Lowe as the lefty bench bat and 1B/DH rotational partner could a) make the most sense for the big league roster and b) maximize the depth on the farm, too.
The Reds previously sprang to sign former Colorado Rockies 1B Michael Toglia to a similar deal, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand is also presumably fighting for a big league roster spot at the same time. Lowe has a much, much more extensive track record than either of those guys, though, and I’d wager that he immediately jumps them in the hierarchy for spots on the Opening Day roster if he shows up in camp and performs the way he’s shown on the back of his baseball card.
Nice pickup, Reds!
NBA Coach of the Year Odds: JB Bickerstaff and Jordan Ott the Favorites
The Detroit Pistons have raced out to a 40-13 record, so it is no surprise to see JB Bickerstaff at the top of NBA Coach of the Year odds boards. More NBA odds for COY show the Suns' Jordan Ott (+400) and the Celtics' Joe Mazzulla (+650) among the favorites.
NBA Coach of the Year odds
Here is a look at updated NBA Coach of the Year odds. JB Bickerstaff is the betting favorite to win the award at -140.
| Coach | |
|---|---|
| JB Bickerstaff | <<-140>> |
| Jordan Ott | <<+400>> |
| Joe Mazzulla | <<+650>> |
| Mitch Johnson | <<+1000>> |
| Charles Lee | <<+1500>> |
| David Adelman | <<+2000>> |
| Darko Rajakovic | <<+3000>> |
| Erik Spoelstra | <<+7500>> |
| Mike Brown | <<+20000>> |
| Mark Daigneault | <<+25000>> |
NBA Coach of the Year opening odds
Below is a look at opening NBA Coach of the Year odds. Jamahl Mosley (+60) was the initial betting favorite to win the award.
- Jamahl Mosley (+600)
- Quin Snyder (+650)
- JB Bickerstaff (+1000)
- Mike Brown (+1000)
- Ime Udoka (+1300)
- Tyronn Lue (+1500)
- Nick Nurse (+1500)
- Joe Muzzulla (+1500)
- David Adelman (+2000)
- JJ Redick (+2000)
- Mitch Johnson (+2000)
- Darko Rajakovic (+2000)
Popular NBA futures markets
- NBA championship odds
- NBA MVP odds
- NBA Rookie of the Year odds
- NBA Sixth Man of the Year odds
- NBA Defensive Player of the Year odds
Understanding NBA Coach of the Year odds
Most sportsbooks will display odds in the American format as listed above. We'll use 2022-23's Coach of the Year race as an example:
As the season progressed, with Mike Brown having been a huge favorite, his odds had a minus (-) sign ahead of the number:
- Mike Brown -500
This means that a bettor needs to wager $500 to win $100. Other candidates with worse odds would have a plus (+) sign ahead of the number. Early in the season, before any clear favorite is established, betting options will be listed as such:
- Nick Nurse +650
Here, a bettor stands to profit $650 for every $100 wagered.
If American odds aren't your thing, simply use our odds converter to switch the odds to decimal or fractional format. Most online sportsbooks also give you the option to change the odds format that you see.
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NBA Coach of the Year trends
- Mike Brown's 2023 victory was the first time in 10 years (excluding COVID-altered schedules — 2019-20, 2020-21) that the Coach of the Year's team hadn't won 55+ games.
- Four coaches (Mike Budenholzer, Gregg Popovich, Tom Thibodeau, Mike Brown) have won COY multiple times since 2009.
- No rookie head coach has won Coach of the Year since Doc Rivers (2000).
- Dating back to the award's inception in 1963, no coach has ever won COY in back-to-back seasons.
NBA Coach of the Year history
| Year | NBA Coach of the Year Winner | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | Kenny Atkinson | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 2023-24 | Mark Daigneault | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| 2022-23 | Mike Brown | Sacramento Kings |
| 2021-22 | Monty Williams | Phoenix Suns |
| 2020-21 | Tom Thibodeau | New York Knicks |
| 2019-20 | Nick Nurse | Toronto Raptors |
| 2018-19 | Mike Budenholzer | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 2017-18 | Dwane Casey | Toronto Raptors |
| 2016-17 | Mike D'Antoni | Houston Rockets |
| 2015-16 | Steve Kerr | Golden State Warriors |
| 2014-15 | Mike Budenholzer | Atlanta Hawks |
| 2013-14 | Gregg Popovich | San Antonio Spurs |
| 2012-13 | George Karl | Denver Nuggets |
| 2011-12 | Gregg Popovich | San Antonio Spurs |
| 2010-11 | Tom Thibodeau | Chicago Bulls |
| 2009-10 | Scott Brooks | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| 2008-09 | Mike Brown | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 2007-08 | Byron Scott | New Orleans Hornets |
| 2006-07 | Sam Mitchell | Toronto Raptors |
| 2005-06 | Avery Johnson | Dallas Mavericks |
| 2004-05 | Mike D'Antoni | Phoenix Suns |
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
Lakers entering All-Star break on a high note
As the Lakers walked off the court inside of Crypto.com Arena after Thursday’s win over the Dallas Mavericks, they were feeling good about the state of the team entering the All-Star break.
Because even with their status as true NBA title contenders being in doubt, a bigger-picture view of their season within the context of Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves playing a combined 10 games together offered optimism.
“We’re top-five in the West and we’ve had those guys together for 10 games,” Coach JJ Redick said. “AR’s missed time, an extended stretch. Luka missed some time. Bron missed the start of the year. You’d take that.
“Doesn’t mean the day-to-day, [the] internal pressure you put on yourself…doesn’t mean that’s going to go away. But you’ve got to feel good about the last 14 games outside of the San Antonio game [Tuesday] night.”
The Lakers started last season 33-21, with James (four), Reaves (five) and the combination of Doncic (four)/Anthony Davis (five) missing a combined 18 games through the Lakers’ first 54 games of the season.
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And through this season’s first 54 games, the Lakers are 33-21 despite a significant dip in player availability from their stars, with their best players tripling their combined amount of missed games (56) by this point of the season compared to last year.
Reaves has been sidelined for nearly half (26 games) of the season. James has missed 18 games after being on the shelf for the first 14 games because of sciatica. Doncic sat out of the four games entering the break because of a strained left hamstring, and has been sidelined for 12 games.
And even with the team having a 7-3 record in games Doncic, James and Reaves have played, there’s still context missing within the games they have been able to get on the floor together.
Those five first games the team’s star trio played together after James made his season debut in the Nov. 18 home win over the Utah Jazz came with James clearly still working to find his rhythm after the long layoff. In Game No. 8 on Christmas Day, Reaves left midway through the loss to the Houston Rockets because of a strained left calf that would later sideline him for 19 consecutive games. And Games Nos. 9-10, wins over the Brooklyn Nets (Feb. 3) and Philadelphia 76ers (Feb. 5), respectively, came with Reaves playing as a reserve on a minutes restriction and Doncic leaving midway through the game against the 76ers because of the hamstring injury.
And this is before even factoring in key players such as Marcus Smart (10), Rui Hachimura (10) and Deandre Ayton (eight) also missing significant time.
“We’re still trying to be healthy, trying to get healthy,” Hachimura said. “I know AR just came back and he’s trying to ramp it up. We’ve been building our chemistry pretty good this whole season. [That] kind of stuff is going to be important. I’ve been in the playoffs a couple times, and team chemistry is really going to be important.”
The lack of player availability doesn’t mask clear roster deficiencies.
The defense, especially on the perimeter, is still troublesome although they’ve been trending in the right direction on that end of the floor with the help of their zone defense performing well.
The quality of their wins – and margins of defeat in their losses – suggests they aren’t in the true upper echelon of the Western Conference standings, let alone the entire NBA.
But the Lakers are optimistic of what they can look like if they’re able to come out of the break with something that’s been rare this season: their three best players healthy, and playing their basketball, and surrounded by a supporting cast that’s stepped up to keep the team afloat.
“Most of the games, we haven’t even had our full squad,” Jaxson Hayes said. “We’ve had a lot of injuries throughout the year. I’m feeling good going into the second half of the season. Hopefully, we can’t get healthy and come out strong.”
NBA Most Improved Player Odds: MIP Betting Favorites
All young players in the NBA have room for improvement. So, who will make the proverbial "leap" in the 2025 - 2026 season? NBA Most Improved Player odds have the Blazers' Deni Avdija and the Hawks' Jalen Johnson as the betting favorites.
Below are more NBA odds for Most Improved Player.
NBA Most Improved Player odds
Here is a glance at NBA Most Improved Player odds with the Blazers' Deni Avdija (-125) as the current favorite.
| Player | |
|---|---|
| Deni Avdija | <<-125>> |
| Jalen Johnson | <<+240>> |
| Nickeil Alexander-Walker | <<+1000>> |
| Keyonte George | <<+1000>> |
| Jalen Duren | <<+2000>> |
| Ryan Rollins | <<+4000>> |
| Collin Gillespie | <<+5000>> |
| Anthony Black | <<+6000>> |
| Jaylon Tyson | <<+6000>> |
| Dillon Brooks | <<+6000>> |
| Michael Porter Jr. | <<+7500>> |
| Amen Thompson | <<+50000>> |
NBA Most Improved Player opening odds
Below is look at NBA Most Improved Player opening odds. Amen Thompson opened as the betting favorite.
- Amen Thompson (+1000)
- Andrew Nembhard (+1100)
- Deni Avdija (+1500)
- Bennedict Mathurin (+1600)
- Ausar Thompson (+1600)
- Matas Buzelis (+1600)
- Shaedon Sharpe (+2500)
- Josh Giddey (+3000)
- Michael Porter Jr. (+3000)
- Reed Sheppard (+3000)
- Jaden Ivey (+3000)
- Payton Pritchard (+3000)
- Trey Murphy (+4000)
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Understanding NBA Most Improved Player odds
Most sportsbooks will display odds in the American format as listed above. We'll use 2022-23's MIP race as an example:
As the season progressed, with Lauri Markkanen having been a big favorite, his odds had a minus (-) sign ahead of the number:
- Lauri Markkanen -200
This means that a bettor needs to wager $200 to win $100. Other candidates with worse odds would have a plus (+) sign ahead of the number. Early in the season, before any clear favorite is established, betting options will be listed as such:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander +650
Here, a bettor stands to profit $650 for every $100 wagered.
If American odds aren't your thing, simply use our odds converter to switch the odds to decimal or fractional format. Most online sportsbooks also give you the option to change the odds format that you see.
Popular NBA futures markets
NBA MIP betting trends
Here are some trends you'll want to consider when betting on NBA Most Improved Player futures:
- Forwards have won 13 of the past 20 MIP awards.
- No true center has won since Jermaine O'Neal in 2002.
- MIP has tended to favor players making "the leap" to stardom recently. Nine of the past 10 winners have averaged 20.0 ppg or more.
- In a very weird coincidence, an Orlando Magic player has won MIP four times since 1999, and each time, an Indiana Pacer has won the award the following year.
How is NBA Most Improved Player decided?
The NBA Most Improved Player Award is bestowed upon the player who has demonstrated a significant improvement in performance from the previous season. This improvement is evaluated based on the following key criteria:
Statistical improvement
Consideration is given to notable increases in key statistical categories, including traditional box score stats, shooting efficiency, and the various advanced metrics.
Role expansion or redefinition
Consideration will be given to players who have taken on new roles, and significantly expanded their responsibilities, thereby positively impacting their team.
Consistency and sustainability
The improvement should be consistent and sustained throughout the season, rather than a short-term surge in performance. Candidates should demonstrate their enhanced production over a substantial portion of the regular season.
Impact on team success
The player's improvement should directly contribute to the overall success and performance of their team. Factors such as wins, team rankings, and positive influence on team chemistry can be taken into account.
Covers NBA betting tools
NBA Most Improved Player history
| Year | NBA Most Improved Winner |
|---|---|
| 2024-25 | Dyson Daniels |
| 2023-24 | Tyrese Maxey |
| 2022-23 | Lauri Markkanen |
| 2021-22 | Ja Morant |
| 2020-21 | Julius Randle |
| 2019-20 | Brandon Ingram |
| 2018-19 | Pascal Siakam |
| 2017-18 | Victor Oladipo |
| 2016-17 | Giannis Antetokounmpo |
| 2015-16 | CJ McCollum |
| 2014-15 | Jimmy Butler |
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
Three MLB draft prospects for Washington Nationals fans to watch as the college season starts
The college baseball season starts today, which means it is officially draft season. I wanted to highlight a few college prospects that could be available for the Nats to select with the 11th pick. It is supposed to be a very good draft this year, so the Nats will have plenty of options.
We have already written about a few prospects the Nats could take like Tyler Bell, Cameron Flukey, Jackson Flora and Chris Hacopian. The three prospects we are highlighting today are Florida RHP Liam Peterson, TCU outfielder Sawyer Strosnider and Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey. All of these players have wide ranges, but have a chance to be the pick for the Nats at 11th overall.
I want to start with Peterson, who is the most famous of the three. Some early rankings had him as the top college pitching prospect in this class, but Cameron Flukey and Jackson Flora are ahead of him on most boards now. As an SEC pitcher, he will be facing a higher caliber of hitter compared to Flora and Flukey, who play at UCSB and Coastal Carolina. That means he could end up being SP1 by the end of the season.
Peterson arguably has the best raw stuff of any pitcher in college baseball. His fastball is in the mid to upper 90’s with explosive life at the top of the zone. He also has two breaking balls with a chance to be plus pitches, showcasing a slider and a 12/6 curve. Peterson also shows a changeup with some promise, but is not as comfortable throwing it. One stuff model actually thinks Peterson is the nastiest returning pitcher in all of college baseball.
Consistent strike throwing is the question mark for Peterson right now. His BB/9 went from over 6 his freshman year to 4.2 as a sophomore. However, that is still a bit higher than you would like. He also allowed more hits than you would think for a guy with his stuff, giving up 67 hits in 69.1 innings. Both Fangraphs and MLB Pipeline note some stiffness and effort in his delivery, which is worth monitoring. That could be why they both rank him at 13th, while Baseball America has him at 9th.
Peterson has very loud stuff, and that could attract Paul Toboni. At 6’5 205 pounds, Peterson also has a prototypical frame. There is a ton of intrigue here, but Peterson will need to perform in his final season at Florida to maintain his stock. He has yet to have a season with an ERA under 4, and that will have to change this year.
The next guy I want to talk about is Sawyer Strosnider, a toolsy outfielder from TCU. Strosnider is a draft eligible sophomore, so he will be younger than most college prospects, having just turned 21 before draft day. He is a freak athlete, with speed and power for days.
Strosnider is not just pure projection though. In his freshman year at TCU, he hit .350 with 11 homers, 10 steals and a 1.070 OPS in 56 games. That made him one of the most productive freshmen in the nation. His speed, power and production make him a tantalizing prospect.
He is not a perfect player though. That is why Fangraphs has him ranked at 15th and Baseball America has him at 18th. Pipeline is the highest on Stronsider, ranking him 9th overall. Both Pipeline and BA note Strosnider’s chase happy approach as a question mark. Fangraphs has some swing and miss concerns, but he was making more contact as the season went on.
Strosnider actually started his college career very slowly, going 5/35 with 17 strikeouts. However, he turned things around after that, hitting .389 with a 14% K rate the rest of the way. Strosnider actually plays right field due to TCU having another high profile outfield prospect in Chase Brunson. He has the tools to play center though, and whoever drafts him will try him out there.
This is a player that could intrigue Paul Toboni. Strosnider has massive tools and big time production. If he has another good season, he could be in the Nats range, and potentially be a top 10 pick.
The last player I want to talk about is Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey. Based on the rankings, he seems like a pretty divisive prospect. Fangraphs is very high on him, with Lackey being their number four overall prospect. Baseball America is much lower on him though, putting the catcher 25th in their rankings. Pipeline is in the middle, ranking him 12th.
With the addition of Harry Ford, the Nats are not as desperate for catching in their system, but Lackey could be a player they like. He is universally praised for his defensive ability and athleticism. Lackey is a lock to stick behind the plate and could be a plus defensive catcher.
However, the offense is where the disagreements come from. Lackey advocates like Fangraphs see him as a good contact hitter with the potential to add average power down the road. However, skeptics are not as convinced by the power and are worried his approach is too passive. He also hits the ball on the ground more than you would like due to his flat swing. Lackey has decent raw power, but will he get to it?
Lackey has only hit 10 home runs in two seasons at Georgia Tech. He also does not have a very long track record. Lackey was not super highly touted coming out of college, and only hit .214 his first year at Georgia Tech. However, he had a huge breakout in 2025, hitting .347 with a .921 OPS.
That makes this season a huge one for Lackey. If he can show his 2025 was not a fluke, he could be an option for the Nats. However, if the power does not come and he takes a slight step back, he will become more of a late first or early second round guy. The defense makes him a high floor prospect, but the bat will determine his ceiling.
This is going to be a very exciting college baseball season. I am going to try to watch as much as I can to monitor these prospects. It is a shame the Nats were not eligible to pick first overall because Roch Cholowsky is the best college shortstop prospect in over a decade. However, there is a ton of talent and depth in this class. I trust Paul Toboni to strike oil here.
50 Most Notable Yankees Free Agent Signings in 50 Years: Gerrit Cole
I have my complaints about the Hal Steinbrenner-Brian Cashman administration, with one of the big ones being that it’s not always clear where Cashman’s decision authority stops and Hal’s starts. The one thing you can never take away from the duo though is that when they want a guy, really want him, they pull out all the stops to get him. Following a devastating loss in the 2019 ALCS, the Yankees needed a true ace to compete with the Red Sox and Astros, the two teams that had bounced them from the postseason in the previous three years.
Meanwhile, Gerrit Cole was putting up numbers that made him look like a hydrogen bomb going up against coughing babies with Louisville Sluggers. As the lead photo to this post commemorates, Cole also famously grew up a Yankee fan, and his signing was something of a homecoming — one that bar a devastating Tommy John surgery, has paid off in spades.
Gerrit Cole
Signing Date: December 16, 2019
Contract: 9 years, $324 million
Cole’s kind of always been the golden boy. His senior year of high school at Orange Lutheran High he sat 96 mph, striking out 121 batters in 75 innings. Of course the Yankees actually drafted him long before signing him in 2019, 28th overall in the 2008 draft. The club offered an overslot $4 million bonus, but the righty stuck to his commitment with UCLA. Three years later, Cole went 1-1 and signed with the Pirates for $8 million.
But then, he did go to the soon-to-be-resurgent Pirates, a franchise that was being widely celebrated at the time for building strong pitching, backed by Ray Searage’s encouraged use of sinkers and two-seam fastballs. Cole was never bad with Pittsburgh, putting up a 5.1-fWAR season in 2015 and finishing fourth in NL Cy Young Award voting, but it always felt that he had another gear to reach. Perhaps a philosophical misalignment—with Cole rivaled perhaps only by Justin Verlander in this era of taking a “screw you, hit this” approach to his repertoire—kept Gerrit from being the ace he would later emerge as.
Regrettably we got to see that pairing for two years, as the Houston Astros added Cole to a very, very dangerous rotation ahead of the 2018 season. That philosophical match was there, as was some sticky stuff, and the big righty put up 13.4 fWAR in two years with Houston — fanning 40 percent of batters he faced in a 326-K 2019!! If only he didn’t dogwalk the Yankees while doing so, we’d all probably remember this fondly.
What I do remember fondly is the famous Boras Corp. hat Cole sported after going unused in a World Series Game 7 loss, signaling that the game’s best pitcher was going to be available to the highest bid. The Yankees, with their Baby Bomber core already starting to show some cracks — love you forever, Gary Sánchez — were in need of A Guy to pair along with Aaron Judge.
Of course having one of the most dominant pitching seasons since Peak Pedro right before becoming a free agent meant there were many suitors, with the Angels, Padres, Phillies, and Astros all expected to be significant competitors, and the Yankees not even considered favorites. The club did catch a break when the Angels bit on Anthony Rendon just before Cole signed, with the former Nationals’ third baseman going to Orange County, and that tale is a much less happy one.
In the end, the Yankees pulled out all the stops on this one. The organization showed up at the right-hander’s door with an entourage that included his childhood hero Andy Pettitte, who spoke about the uniqueness of success in pinstripes. New pitching coach Matt Blake was also part of the delegation, detailing his plans to revamp Yankee pitching development, and appealing to the often-professorial attitude Cole takes to his craft.
The $324 million, nearly double what the Yankees landed CC Sabathia for just over a decade earlier, certainly helped as well. Gerrit Cole was going to be the Opening Day starter for the New York Yankees, in an ironic echo from what might have happened 10 or so years before.
That first start was a strange one, coming in July in an empty stadium as baseball grappled with continuity in the time of COVID-19. Perhaps we could see that first start as an omen of sorts, with the time since seeing Cole win a Cy Young, start a World Series game, and twirl one of the more impressive regular season outings in recent Yankee history on July 10, 2021:
Yet just like all of Aaron Judge’s lofty, indeed historic, accomplishments, everything that Cole has done as a Yankee has ended in a bit of disappointment. In the 2021 AL Wild Card Game, the win-or-go-home playoff outing that you expressly sign a player like Cole for, he gave up a pair of home runs early to put the Yankees down 3-0 and was out after two innings (due in part to a nagging hamstring). The Yankees couldn’t recover and went home.
The team had their backs to the wall in Game 5 of the 2024 World Series, this time in the Bronx, once again the exact type of scenario you imagine when you ink an ace to a deal commiserate with his talent. Gerrit Cole played a pivotal role in that nightmare fifth inning, not agreeing with Anthony Rizzo on who should cover first base, and unable to re-establish control over the frame after other errors in the way that we have seen him do so before.
And then came that bad news last spring, just about exactly a year ago. Elbow discomfort, MRI, Tommy John surgery, and a lost year. We don’t know at press time when Cole will be back—probably mid-to-late May by the updates the club has provided—but just like that your nominal ace is 35, hasn’t pitched in anger since that World Series game, and hasn’t had a season without elbow trouble since 2023.
If nothing else, Gerrit Cole is a marked case of Get Caught Trying. Nothing is guaranteed, no one player means that you’re going to win the last game of the season. No active pitcher has a higher career WAR without a World Series ring than Gerrit. Even one of the last, great, 200+ inning workhorses can be felled by a ligament about the size of a Q-tip. Man proposes and baseball disposes, but put it all together and try. The biggest criticism of the post-dynasty Yankees has been that they’ve refused to push it all in at once, but signing Gerrit Cole was probably the closest we’ve gotten to it, and there’s a reason there’s a No. 45 jersey in my closet.
See more of the “50 Most Notable Yankees Free Agent Signings in 50 Years” series here.
Which MLB team do you hate the most?
Sports give us a socially acceptable outlet for our pettiness. They let us boo, roll our eyes, and carry grudges that would be wildly inappropriate anywhere else in life. You’re allowed to hate teams, from division rivals to big-market behemoths.
Which team do you hate the most? There are several possibilities.
- The Yankees. Do you root for Darth Vader in Star Wars? Do you cheer when the blackjack dealer wins at the casino? You might be a Yankees fan. They’re called the “Evil Empire” for a reason.
- The Dodgers. They’re the new Yankees. They spend like it’s going out of style, and their fans leave games in the seventh inning to beat traffic.
- The Cardinals. Our cross-town rivals. They’re still chirping about Denkinger’s call in 1985 and how they’re the self-anointed “Best Fans in Baseball.”
- The White Sox. Division rivals. The Royals and White Sox have had dust-ups before, including the time two Chicago fans jumped on the field and assaulted a Royals coach.
- The Pirates. I dunno, I just don’t like the way they look at us.
Which team do you hate the most and why?
The Path Forward: Step 1, Find a New Front Office
Hello Devils friends and family, I hope you’re all enjoying your reprieve from *gestures at Newark*. It’s no secret that this current version of the Devils has flamed out spectacularly. If it is a secret… umm, surprise! They have 25 games left, and would need to go 20-4-1 to get to 99 points and be in a comfortable playoff spot. Your mileage may vary on what you see as the problem, and the blame game is in full force, from the owners to the 4th line to the medical team and most recently, Jack seems to be the target du jour. And quite frankly it’s all correct – there is blame to go around to everyone in that pile. Some pretty serious changes need to be made top to bottom.
The first step starts at the top. Tom Fitzgerald leads this organization, and leads my list of changes that need to be made and this seems to be a widely shared opinion. However, if Tom is replaced, it cannot be an interim GM from inside the organization. We need fresh eyes to dispassionately examine the roster, scouting, drafting, and operations. Jared wrote a longer blog about this and I agree: Our two AGMs are not people I would have faith in making the necessary changes for the Devils. Dan MacKinnon oversees a bad Utica team and ineffective player development, while Kate Madigan is behind the scenes and more of an operational role and has a large say in contracts. If Tom goes, both of them should as well so there is no connection between regimes. The third internal option scares me more than these two, advisor Chuck Fletcher. He is only an advisor because no one would touch him for a GM role – and guess what? He and Fitz are buddies and that’s why he is here and to advise on contracts, scouting, and operations.
This entire front office tenure can be summed up in the phrase “too little, too late.” Goalie changes, coaching changes, roster additions – all too little too late. The most recent acquisition, Nick Bjugstad, as Chris wrote was three months too late. The only big swing this group took was for Timo Meier, a deadline move that was about as obvious as can be, meanwhile we have gone 3 consecutive years with glaring season-long holes that went unaddressed. Colorado fixed their goalie issues a month into the 24-25 season, Carolina managed to swing a trade for Rantanen and later flip him when they realized he wasn’t going to sign long term. Don’t get me started on Quinn. Meanwhile Fitz builds his roster in the offseason and dabbles at the deadline, and even then he only comes in second, or “owes it to the team” to bring in Andrew Hammond.
One place I think we should probably retain is our amateur scouting mechanism. For as poor as the 1st round drafting has been, the team’s later rounds picking has been fine to good and the verdict is still out on some of the last two years. Daniil Orlov, Roszival, Moe, Cheslock, Yegorov, and Malek all show potential from our most recent crop and I encourage you to check in on James’ prospect updates.
We Know Tim, Get to the Point
Sorry, I get a little carried away talking about Fitz. Anyway, I wanted to look through a variety of GM/Front Office options, and truly hope the ownership group takes a broad sweeping look at different ways to approach the role(s). Whether that is finding a more “traditional” experienced Manager, whether they are going to split the President of Hockey Operations and GM roles, and whether they are going to look outside the box. So I decided to scour the marketplace for options that are very much traditional to options that are very much not – and people in between. We need to find the next Bill Zito, Breisbois, or Jim Nil – all three of which came from different worlds.
Luckily for me, I got some help from people that know more than me. As you probably are aware, Barry Trotz is stepping down as the Predators GM, and Elliott Friedman rattled off a variety of potential options on 32 Thoughts. Frank Seravelli mentioned on his show that there may be expectations that the Devils will be making a GM change this summer while also discussing the Preds job, implying the Devils job may be more desirable. So, let’s take a look at those options for the big chair.
Traditional “Hockey Guys” With GM Experience
Rob Blake: Blake is most notably known for stepping into he Kings GM where he pivoted the team into a significant roster rebuild and away form an aging core, bringing in Fiala, drafting Byfield and Clarke, and taking a swing on Dubois. I do like that he recognized that didn’t work and pivoted to a solution… how refreshing to have a GM realize his mistake and move off it getting value in return. His downfall was the Edmonton Oilers.
Brendan Shanahan: Hired to transform a struggling franchise, Shanahan initiated a comprehensive rebuild that resulted in drafting cornerstone players Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander. He oversaw consistent regular-season success, including nine straight playoff appearances, however I think we are all aware of their failure to get past their playoff ghosts. He would probably be more of a POHO role, similar to what he held in Toronto, so if the Devils keep the role the same (POHO/GM) or split them into two separate roles – he could be a consideration.
Marc Bergevin: He is best known for his role as GM of the Montreal Canadiens (2012–2021), leading them to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final during the lockout year. Two of his key acquisitions were Nick Suzuki and Shea Weber (for PK). As GM of the Canadiens, he oversaw six playoff appearances and previously won a Stanley Cup as Director of Player Personnel with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010.
Peter Chiarelli: No.
Traditional “Hockey Guys” That Are AGMs
Jamie Langenbrunner: You many not know that he is the AGM of the Bruins where he manages player personnel decisions, evaluates pro and amateur talent, and oversees prospect progression. He is well thought of for his work in scouting, identifying player improvements, and assisting with draft preparations and is on the “next” list according to people that know things. Worth an interview.
Jason Spezza: Currently serves as an AGM under Kyle Dubas in Pittsburgh. Moved with Dubas from Toronto to continue his work in hockey operations, scouting, and player development, particularly in Wilkes Barre, where he took over the role to manage the organization’s top prospects and minor league operations. He also served under Dubas as a special assistant with the Leafs from 22-23, so since his entry into management he has had a pretty impressive apprenticeship with one of the league’s best young GMs. It’s no coincidence that Toronto is a on dumpster fire watch after both he and Dubas left. Dubas (and by extension Spezza) gets a lot of flak for no real reason, he was really hurt by the Covid-induced flat cap more than anything. Also worth an interview.
“Hockey Guys” you May Not Know (Mostly AGMs)
Ryan Bowness: Ryan Bowness is a prominent NHL executive currently serving as the AGM and Director of Player Personnel of the Islanders. He has moved up the ranks on the player personnel and pro scouting side of the house through Atlanta/Winnipeg, Ottawa and Pittsburgh. I have long felt our pro scouting is severely lacking, and instead of unearthing undervalued assets, we have given known commodities term on the back half of their deals in UFA.
Ryan Johnson: Ryan Johnson is currently the AGM of the Canucks and GM of Abbotsford. You may balk at the Vancouver part of that, but he has overseen a very successful Abbotsford team that won the Calder Cup in 2025. He also comes from the player development side of the house which also needs some work (see comment under Bowness). He is credited with the AHL -> NHL transition of guys like Silovs and Hoglander, while also working on the cap and pro scouting.
Brad Pascal: Brad Pascal is currently the Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Hockey Operations for the Calgary Flames, a role he has held since 2014. He also serves as the General Manager of the Flames’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Calgary Wranglers. He also serves as co-general manager for international events for Hockey Canada such as the Spengler Cup, working alongside Joe Thornton. One thing the Devils lack is any high end Candians which (in my opinion) may be a contributing factor to the currents Tate of the team and he has been very successful in his tenure with Hockey Canada: 3x Olympic Gold, 5 consecutive World Junior Golds, 2004 World Cup and IIHF gold in 03 and 04. My only issue with all of that? it’s been a while, but he would be worth a conversation.
“Non-Traditional” AGMs From Winning Cultures
Some would point to a roadmap for finding the next great GM: an impressive apprenticeship for well run, winning organizations. If you are of the mind that avoiding the old boys club of recycled options is the best path, the below group of guys is for you.
Sunny Mehta is one of the primary architects of the current Florida regime, comes from an analytics background and was a professional poker player. He is largely considered the godfather of hockey analytics, getting his original start int he Devils organization. I like his skill set and he was a major part in finding hidden gems in a variety of distressed assets in Reinhardt, Forsling, and Verhaege. He also had a front row seat for the cultural impact of the Tkachuk trade and recognized his skill set vs Huberdeau’s, and Zito has said multiple times Mehta was instrumental in that trade. Also, a Jersey boy.
Kevin McDonald is the AGM in Colorado, and would certainly deserve a look considering their current success. He also spent 20 years with Blues where he has a cup ring from 2019 and as an AGM with Colorado, he works closely with General Manager Chris MacFarland on hockey-related matters. His main focus remains overseeing the Colorado Eagles, the Avalanche’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate and comes from a pro scouting and professional development background.
Capitals AGM Ross Mahoney interviewed in 2020 when they picked Fitz. Washington found a way to go from being a capped out group of aging veterans with no future to finding several gems in the draft, bought low on Canada’s starting goalie Logan Thompson and managed to set the Caps on a path to a retooled transition. As assistant general manager, Mahoney is responsible for the NHL Entry Draft, the club’s developmental programs, evaluations of opposing teams’ prospects, and oversees the organization’s amateur scouting staff. In Game 5 of the 2018 Stanley Cup Final, 12 players who were drafted during Mahoney’s tenure were in the lineup. (source)
Golden Knights AGM Andrew Lugerner is the guy who has managed their salary cap. Considering the magic tricks they have pulled off (see what I did there) with their cap and the downright ruthless nature of the Vegas front office, he would certainly be worth an interview.
Agents
One would only have to look at the success of Bill Zito in Florida and Kent Hughes in Montreal to consider agents as options and it’s not crazy to suggest that someone moving from one side of the negotiation table to the other would be in the consideration set. Agents have a unique perspective on the nuances behind player choices and motivations, particularly when it comes to contracts. They also scout and recruit players from a young age, and likely have very good eyes for the type of attitude that will translate to success in hockey. And maybe, just maybe, an agent can come in and understand NMC/NTC clauses a little better and how to leave yourself some outs if a contract doesn’t work out.
Agents are very difficult to find information on aside from client lists, and leaving and agency is complicated. However, Can one of them be lured to the other side of the table? Here are some of the biggest (and fun names) in that group with the amount of money they manage and some of their prominent clients (from puckpedia):
Judd Moldaver (Wasserman) – $428MM in contracts. Matthews, McDavid, Pesce, Werenski, Josi
Pat Brisson (CAA) – $1.4BN in contracts. MacKinnon, Crosby, Larkin, Jack, Luke, Quinn, Mercer
Dan Millstein (Gold Star) – $643MM in contracts. THE Russian Agent basically:. Kucherov, Vasilevskiy, Sorokin, Marchenko
Claude Lemieux (4Sports) – Yes, I snuck Pepe in here. $353MM in contracts. Timo, Seider, Eriksson Ek, Rasmus Anderson, Olofsson
Darren Ferris (Quartexx) – $333MM in contracts. Marner, Bennet, Kadri, Hall, Rodrigues, Byram
My Dream Team
So, after all that, My dream team for the top two chairs are…. Shanahan as POHO and Mehta as GM. I think bringing in someone like Shanny as a POHO to have a broader view of everything as well as a newly minted GM is the ideal scenario. One of the failures in the Fitz regime is having noone overseeing him as a new GM. This set-up allows Mehta to focus on building the team and overall structure, while Shanny can focus on the larger organizational issues. I know Sunny Mehta isn’t a unique thought, but there is a reason why several people think he should be next, his background and experience checks so many boxes for me.
But it doesn’t stop there. As I mentioned we need to clean house, so that would leave two AGM spots open and if we can’t lure someone from one of the above mentioned AGM chairs to make the lateral move, I think it would be wise to go try and lure the Tampa Bay Director of Player Development, JP Cole out of Tampa. The work he has done finding and developing players has been nothing short of astonishing, considering the injury woes Tampa has had the past few year, and the plug and play guys that have stepped into roles and thrived there.
As an AGM, I would also be interested in Judd Brackett, who is the head of Amateur Scouting for the Wild. Prior to the wild he spent 12 years in Vancouver, and his list of draftees is impressive: Rossi, Buium, Ohgren (basically the Quinn trade), and while in Vancouver he was front and center drafting Quinn, Boeser and Petterson. His main focus is prioritizing hockey IQ and skating, which have become two of the most valuable commodities in the current NHL.
Your Thoughts
Who do you like, anyone on this list strike you or anyone I didn’t mention that would be of interest? What’s your level of confidence a change at the top happens?
There is no right or wrong solution here, but this front office needs new eyes on it, and those eyes need to come from the outside since the organizational rot comes from the top.
LGD